Mets disable closer Parnell

The Sports Xchange

The SportsXchange•August 6, 2013

The New York Mets placed closer Bobby Parnell on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a herniated disk in his neck. The move is retroactive to July 31. Parnell has not seen action since in a week. On Monday, he had a cortisone shot in an attempt to relieve the discomfort in the neck area. It is uncertain when Parnell will be ready to pitch again. He is eligible to come off the DL on Aug. 15, but manager Terry Collins has said surgery remains a possibility. The 28-year-old Parnell has pitched in 49 games this season and converted 22 of 26 save opportunities with a 2.16 ERA. This is his first season as a full-time closer. Right-hander David Aardsma is expected to take over Parnell's duties. Aardsma, a former Seattle Mariners closer, has pitched 24 1/3 innings for the Mets this season and has a 3.79 ERA. Tommy John and hip surgeries limited him to one game in the previous two seasons. The Mets recalled infielder Wilmer Flores to fill the roster spot. Flores, 22, hit .321 with 15 home runs and 86 RBIs in 107 games for Triple-A Las Vegas.